VN Ren'Py Friends in Need [S1 v0.85c] [NeonGhosts]

[NebulousShooter]

Spoiler: Previews

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Sneak Peek of the Week! 8/23/25


Hey, folks! Gonna keep this one short and sweet today, since I've been doing a lot of coding and script stuff today, and I'm pretty much fried. Right now my attention is on getting the rest of Season One assembled and integrated, so I can work on adding the teaser for the newest chapter, which stands around 700 images. If I'm unable to get that rest of the Season One content revised by the end of the month, I'll be able to put out another self-contained teaser for the new chapter, for high-tier supporters. I'd just really rather not, since it's a bit of a pain in the butt doing that.

I'm 800 images deep into the new chapter, and it's getting to the point that it's kicking my ass a little. Doing a big montage that touched on where everyone was sounded like a good idea, but in practice it meant doing a lot of little script variations. In my first draft of the script, all it said was # >> MONTAGE HERE << # -- I figured that'd be a problem for Future Neon. But I finally had to sit down and write the stupid thing and.. Oof. Big oof. Screw you, Past Neon. The final chapter of this game is going to a little tough on me, if that montage was anything to go off of.

Still, I'm really happy with how much plot movement we'll see in this one. Lots of neat stuff coming.

I'll leave you with that today, so I can peel myself out of my desk chair and go take a shower. But as always, take care of yourselves -- and thank you for your support!

----

"Gabby has been relentless since your arrest, blowing up your phone with a constant stream of messages that range from sweet and flirty to downright filthy. Nudes in her shower, selfies in barely-there lingerie, and texts that would make a sailor blush. She's made it crystal clear she's ready to finally cross that line you've been dancing around."

"But with reporters still sniffing around, you've insisted on keeping some distance between the two of you. For now."

"It doesn't stop her from trying. Every day brings new attempts to lure you out. Offers to sneak over, suggestions for secret meetings, increasingly bold photos that test your resolve. She's grateful you stuck up for her, defending her when everything went sideways. But that gratitude has morphed into something hungrier, more demanding."

"The girl who used to flirt with careful boundaries is now pushing hard against every wall you've built, eager to reward your chivalry."

 

[Ragnar]

Doing a big montage that touched on where everyone was sounded like a good idea, but in practice it meant doing a lot of little script variations. In my first draft of the script, all it said was # >> MONTAGE HERE << # -- I figured that'd be a problem for Future Neon. But I finally had to sit down and write the stupid thing and.. Oof. Big oof. Screw you, Past Neon. The final chapter of this game is going to a little tough on me, if that montage was anything to go off of.

It's not ideal but you can cut corners doing a small montage with more text than images like in old rpgs.
To illustrate what I mean.

 

[PHIL101-YYouPPHard]

Let's be honest, if the developer removes all NSFW content (and I think it needs to be done, given the recent scandals) to release the game on Steam, hardly anyone will buy it, because Friends in Need is above average VN, but only in the sex game genre and If dev remove a key aspect from this game, well, sales will most likely be rather poor.

So I think this is a terrible situation, and Visa and Mastercard should be going to hell for their idiotic policies and censorship imposed on sales platforms.

Well, that's needlessly insulting to the dev's writing. It's also your own projection. Not sure where you guys get your 'data' or w/e to say such things so confidently, but I feel like you don't realize that you're in a certain bubble and oblivious to another bubble that, in fact, would really be into FiN, even if censored (which said audience might not even notice, might not even miss). Might even be a much bigger audience than the one that's into the corruption/darker stuff. I know of a few sex games that are quite successful on Steam that are more on the vanilla side.

Just a small point, but as you note yourself, while the desire to "reach a wide audience as the artist" may be common, it is not universal. Some artists are, alternatively, focused entirely on doing their own thing down to a t, and share the works with more of a "i've mainly done it for myself but if you happen to enjoy it too, good for you" mindset.

As such, it's a hyperbole to go and claim that "100% would immediately agree if they worked on their own game". Some of those people could very well be in that latter category of artists, who would rather have a few fans of the work exactly as they intended it, than wider audience but at the cost of changing things.

To clarify, I meant the insults and ungenerous whining. I agree, there's a wide range of artists with different priorities. But, even the devs who are very hardline about the direction and content of their work probably still have a great deal of understanding for the devs who are more focused on income or audience reach, because they understand how much work it can be. It's just incredibly entitled for someone, usually getting the game for free, to have such a self-righteous, bull-headed opinion. It's also pretty funny for the same reason.

Calling porn avns art is a bit of a stretch imo. There is some kind art in every creation process but Neon said it himself, he's making FiN for the money. Also don't fool yourselves 99% of the devs are like that, at least Neon is being honest about it.
I remember when patreon wasn't a thing, there were like a dozen of dudes making western erotic games just for the lulz.

I can't speak for Neon of course, but I read it a little differently. Busting ass for free is out of the cards, so it's not purely a passion project; but that doesn't mean he'll abandon his game's vision simply for more money, so not purely a money-making project, either. At least, that's how I've read his comments on the matter. So, until someone waves a bunch of money in his face, I'm sticking with this interpretation.

 

[MiltonPowers]

It's not ideal but you can cut corners doing a small montage with more text than images like in old rpgs.
To illustrate what I mean.

View attachment 5179672

He'll be OK if they have to amputate his eye. Not many people can pull off the pirate eye patch, but it looks like he can.

 

[Eland51298]

Well, that's needlessly insulting to the dev's writing. It's also your own projection. Not sure where you guys get your 'data' or w/e to say such things so confidently, but I feel like you don't realize that you're in a certain bubble and oblivious to another bubble that, in fact, would really be into FiN, even if censored (which said audience might not even notice, might not even miss). Might even be a much bigger audience than the one that's into the corruption/darker stuff. I know of a few sex games that are quite successful on Steam that are more on the vanilla side.

I didn't mean to offend anyone, I just expressed my opinion.
Well, we'll wait and see how the sale goes without the NSFW elements.

 

[Jarulf]

I for one would definitely buy it on Steam, even without any NSFW elements, the writing and story itself are absolutely good enough for me to justify that.
However, I already know about the game.

 

[Simpgor]

Well, that's needlessly insulting to the dev's writing. It's also your own projection. Not sure where you guys get your 'data' or w/e to say such things so confidently, but I feel like you don't realize that you're in a certain bubble and oblivious to another bubble that, in fact, would really be into FiN, even if censored (which said audience might not even notice, might not even miss). Might even be a much bigger audience than the one that's into the corruption/darker stuff. I know of a few sex games that are quite successful on Steam that are more on the vanilla side.

85% of stats found on this site come from:


(Ps. Im a real freak who doesnt need porn in their porn games)

 

[DiTo]

Dev Update! 8/5/25

Spoiler: Pictures

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Hey, folks! Hope you're all doing well this week! I've just logged into the ol' Patreon and I see my dashboard looks different and there's some new features.. I feel like this happens a few times a year now, and I'm no longer surprised. :'D

I've been working on placing renders, and doing "pick-up" renders, for most of the day. Right now, my immediate plans are still to try to finish compiling the remaining Season One material, so everyone can get their save files update. That'll be published for everyone as soon as it's ready. My secondary goal is to get the new Season Two material (700~ images) added to the Season One material.

Buuut, I'm trying to basically create a second game for Season Two, which will load all the variables from Season One, allowing me to avoid having a giant file size as I continue to build onto it. I'm encountering some difficulties though, so.. We'll see.

My backup plan is to get a standalone teaser made for the new Season Two stuff, as I've been doing, just to make sure my high-tier supporters get new content to playtest. Then I'll work on getting all the Season One stuff added except for the very end, which will prompt all the variables that need to be carried over.

If that sounds confusing, just uhhhhh.. Trust me? :'D I'm basically taking steps to get content into everyone's hands ASAP, without causing myself a big headache later.

Otherwise, not too much to report at the moment! I recently had to sit down and write the big montage designed to advance the story, while touching on all the love interests. I've mentioned this in a paywalled post, but I'd previously just had a note in the script there saying that's where the montage went, and.. Boy, past-Neon really did future-Neon dirty. But it's done, as are the images, and I think it'll be pretty cool -- if nothing breaks.

I don't want to spoil too much, but I just really like the vibe of the whole thing. We get to see our (not always so) lovable hero forced into a situation that's a little uncomfortable for him, I get to smooth out some plot details with a few sentences rather than an extended in-game sequence, and the whole thing will serve as a really nice little catch-up for everyone.

Besides all that, I'm kicking around some ideas re: changes here, in terms of weekly posts. Haven't made any decisions yet, but as always I'll keep you folks in the loop.

Until then, take care of yourselves -- and thank you for your support!

 

[RC-1138 Boss]

Looking forward to the next update.
And yeah Guy sure looks like a dork there Neon.

 

[Joshy92]

I love those pictures. I admit for a while there my excitement for FiN was dipping a bit but it's coming back big time.

 

[Felix123g]

how much rape content this game have?

 

[soprano31]

how much rape content this game have?

All the dark scenes have been removed,
except for a big gang rape scene in the prison corridors against the MC when he continues to act like a creep to all the girls in his life..

 

[MagicMan753]

Cassie looking stellar in the swimsuit we bought her.
Only problem is, why is MC wearing that stupid headset, he is going to miss the best view, the backside.
I can't wait to romance her and give her kisses and cuddles.

Also, glad Neon is making progress on ch.11, looks great so far, but really hope he finishes season 1 soon, been waiting for a while to do full replay and set up multiple saves.

 

[9alwa]

how much rape content this game have?

A good amount. One of the handful renpys tagged with it that actually has some.

It's optional and route (version) specific so if the thought of it bothers you play friends indeed. If you are looking for the content play friends in need.

 

[Lightaces]

how much rape content this game have?

Plenty, all optional.

 

[AsTr]

did neon take out the ashe rape scene for chapter 1 remake idk how to get it on season 1.
also is there any old version links?

 

[JonJones5]

did neon take out the ashe rape scene for chapter 1 remake idk how to get it on season 1.
also is there any old version links?

They did not. Did you make sure you didn't download friends indeed and if you didn't download friends indeed did you install the dark patch.

Also yes the preremake version is still there

 

[AsTr]

They did not. Did you make sure you didn't download friends indeed and if you didn't download friends indeed did you install the dark patch.

Also yes the preremake version is still there

yes i didnt install friends indeed but the scene is just her reluctantly having sex instead of the rape scene and yes i did use the dark patch.

 

[Lightaces]

did neon take out the ashe rape scene for chapter 1 remake idk how to get it on season 1.
also is there any old version links?

That scene isn't in chapter 1, but chapter 2.

You can't get that scene unless you have already gone the darkest route with either Nicki in Chapter 1, or with the Brazilian girl early in chapter 2. It's an early check to see how dark Guy is going to be for the game.

 

[AsTr]

That scene isn't in chapter 1, but chapter 2.

You can't get that scene unless you have already gone the darkest route with either Nicki in Chapter 1, or with the Brazilian girl early in chapter 2. It's an early check to see how dark Guy is going to be for the game.

it might be in chapter 2 but it was the scene where you take her into your room she passes out and you rape while you record her... its been a while since i played